Rector’s Update: something’s just started…
Hi Restoration,
I love when we hit this point in January. It feels like one of those old spinning tops where you pull the string hard and then let it go.
We just pulled the string, Restoration.
The Evening Service as started! 96 people showed up at 4:30 this past Sunday. Nathan preached. Chris Lugo celebrated the Eucharist. Emily led music. I have heard so many people comment on the energy that kept building through the afternoon as 4:30 approached. We had a marvelous morning talking about calling (and a surprise visit from our bishop-elect, Chris Warner and his wife, Catherine). Then the volunteers and musicians rolled in to get ready for the evening service. It went wonderfully and transitioned to…
Apex at 6:30! It was pouring rain so they played cornhole in the downstairs hallway, ate dinner, sang their hearts out, listened to great teaching, and gathered in small groups. Sunday nights are in full spin for our youth. There is also a middle school Bible Study on Wednesday afternoons and a high school book study on Thursday mornings. Breakaway for high school students and middle school students is coming in the next two months. If you’ve got a student between 6th and 12th grade, you want them at Apex.
Small Groups are now spinning all over DC and VA. Just a little more time to get in one. Hope you do! And if you are wondering where to start- pick Alpha: It meets at the church. The leadership team is awesome. The content is top notch and the food is delicious. Might become the highlight of your week. Try Alpha!
Kids’ Small Groups are also spinning along at the 9am and 11am. Last night I was walking the Kids’ hallway and admiring the art they are creating as they weave their stories into God’s story and learn about the liturgical year. It is beautiful. Make sure you take a look next time you are on Quincy Street. Why was I at the church last night?
The 2023 Vestry had its first meeting. This is an incredible team of 10 men and women. We prayed together in the sanctuary, had dinner together in fellowship hall, got oriented to how vestry works (think by-laws and church canons…), and embraced the opportunities that are before us as a congregation. Our vestry is excited to see how the Lord leads us in the next few years. Would you pray for us during our planning retreat this weekend? We start Friday night and wrap up on Saturday. One of the things we will discuss is…
The string we are about to pull to start my sabbatical… It starts February 1st. I have plans to study, to learn, to rest, to recharge, to practice piano, and to be restored. I am really looking forward to it. The other clergy and staff are ready to shepherd our church for a couple of months. Thank you so much for providing this opportunity to ‘spin somewhere else’ for a little while.
But we aren’t there yet. I’ve got one more sermon to give in this series- The Work and Rest of God. We have such a great privilege to bear His image, to steward what He has created, and to live in the rhythms of work and rest that He has prescribed. Can’t wait to talk about it with you in a few days.
May the Lord keep you in His love and care.
-David
